We all know how annoying it is to get ready for bed at night or having to force yourself to wash your face and get ready for the day in the morning, but having a proper skincare routine is essential to slowing down the aging process and maintaining healthy skin. Plus, Botox is expensive, so why not take the steps and invest in a good skincare routine that will pay off in the future, right?
1. Not drinking enough water
Hydration is key. There are numerous benefits for your skin from chugging H20, one including clearer skin. According to Dr. Julius Few M.D., drinking a lot of water helps to decrease the oil levels in your skin, which helps promote a healthier complexion and less breakouts.
2. Not wearing an SPF daily (even in the winter)
Just because you're not out in the sun all day doesn't mean that your skin is not at risk for sun damage. The reality is, your skin is under exposure whenever you're outside or on the go. Whether you're driving around in your car or running across campus to get to your next class, the sun is still reaching your skin. If your moisturizer doesn't have an SPF of at least 25, look into buying an SPF to apply to your face every morning. I use PCA Skin's Weightless Protection SPF 45, and am seriously in love with this product.
3. Eye cream is your best friend
Eye cream is my number one skin care essential (other than a good face-wash and moisturizer of course). The skin around the eye area is the thinnest, most sensitive and fragile portion of your face. A good eye cream helps hydrate this portion of your face, and slows down the aging process and prevents crow's feet. There are all types of eye creams to accommodate what you need. Always up cramming for a test and want to decrease puffiness? Try an eye cream with coffee in it to brighten your eyes up and reduce bags. Remember to apply every morning and evening!
4. Skipping toner
This is a common mistake that most make when it comes to skincare. The bottom line is simple: if you're skipping toner, then you aren't getting all the dirt and make up off of your skin that your face-wash failed to get. Personal tip: you don't need to spend big bucks to get a toner. Try purchasing WitchHazel from your local drug store as a replacement. It works the same as most toners, and is super cheap!
5. FAKE BAKING
We all know that fake tanning is horrible for your skin. Not only does it increase your risk of skin cancer, but it speeds up the aging process on your skin. Wrinkles don't look so good before you're 30, FYI.
6. Washing your makeup brushes
This is something that is often neglected when it comes to skincare. The fact is, if you aren't washing your make up brushes often, then built up make up, dirt, and oil is accumulating on your brushes and clogging your pores. Use a mild soap every one to two weeks to clean your brushes so that you can help keep a clear complexion.
7. Using a night moisturizer
I know it can seem excessive to have two moisturizers, but trust me, having a night moisturizer is essential to a healthy skincare regimen. Researchers at the University of California-Irvine found that skin cells grow faster while you sleep, so it's important to have a cream that works just as hard as you do. Find a good night cream to hydrate you and repair your skin while you sleep so that you can wake up looking refreshed and with a healthy glow!
8. Not using an exfoliator every week
It's important to exfoliate the dead skin cells off of your face at least once a week in order to maintain a healthy complexion. Find a facial scrub that you can use once a week to clean off any excess dirt, oil, and bacteria, so that your skin can stay clean and your foundation can be applied evenly to your face.
